slow to break, chased leaders, hanging left from 2f out, not pace to get on terms, weakened well inside final furlong
slow to break, raced in last, effort 2f out, not pace to get on terms with front pair
chased winner, ridden over 2f out, strong challenge final furlong, just held
made all, quickened over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, pressed final furlong, held on
BALLARD DOWN is the only one of these not to have raced on the Fibresand but he’s clear at the weights and can make a winning start for new connections if taking to the surface and running anywhere near his handicap mark. The veteran Mister Music won a couple of plating races at Wolverhampton last year and this is his level nowadays while Bedtime Bella landed a claimer over 6f here in November but has yet to race over this far. Prolific course winner Bond Angel arrives in good form having recently scored over track and trip to land a double and looks a threat in a tricky contest.
Ballard Down (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, led until 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 10, 31 1/4l behind Tea Clipper (11-5) at Kempton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Mister Music 11-1 (9-10) In rear, niggled along over 3f out, effort on inside over 2f out, ridden just over 1f out, never troubled leaders, last of 7, 3 1/4l behind Jazz Hands (8-9) at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Bedtime Bella (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Dancing Rave (9-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp fll (5) pol in Jan.
Bond Angel 13-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, rallied on inside over 1f out, stayed on to lead narrowly inside final 100 yards, held on, won at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Elixsoft (9-8) by nk, 7 ran.